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Monday, April 4, 2016

Book Clubs? Love'em or Hate'em

I wanted to have a discussion today that is all about book clubs. I have always been interested in joining one or creating one, but none of my local friends read a lot. The apartment complex I lived at for several years was working on putting one together, but that fell apart, or at least I’m assuming so because after the initial solicitation email I never heard anything else about it. So, I tried going virtual. Goodreads offers a plethora of reading groups which host their own book clubs or group readings with discussion. I think I participated in one, but then lost interest in it because there were too many people in the group that the discussion got out of control. With so many authors doing virtual book club visits via Skype I think it would be so cool to be part of one these days!

So, I would love to know: Are you part of a book club, in person or virtual? What has been your experience? If you have a virtual one, feel free to give it a shout out here, especially if you are taking new members!

3 comments:

I have the same issue: none of my local friends like to read :(. I tried creating one online that supposedly would bring people in the community together but it didn't seem to illicit much interest. I have trouble doing it online as (as you point out) there are too many people and wading through the comment threads gets tedious. But I'd love to eventually be a part of one!

I tried to organize a local one, but it didn't work out. I have found a great outlet in my longstanding Goodreads group, TuesBookTalk. We have around 80+ members, but not everyone participates. A handful of us discuss our monthly selection on Twitter every Tuesday at 9:30pm EST (EDT) for about an hour. Discussions in the group are also welcomed.

I also have an online reading retreat book club, Lit Collective. We have quite a lot of members, but low participation, so it doesn't get overwhelming. I only formed it a couple of years ago, but we read books based on a certain theme in the months leading up to, and during, March and then discuss in the group in March. For our August retreat, we focus on the works of one particular author, reading the books up until, and including August, and then discuss in the group in August. I have some pretty loyal members and it all works out pretty well...and this way, I get the book club fix that I crave. :) Plus, I like to be laid back, not strict, which I think is appealing to people who are as busy as I am.

I belong to an 'in-person' book club that I 'forced' my way into. One day at church I overheard a couple of people that I didn't really know very well talking about their next selection and I said 'oh...you have a book club!' and maybe something about wishing I had a book club....or something. Bottom line, they suggested I join them. They claim I didn't force my way in, but I feel like I did....either way, 6 years later, they are some of my best friends. Well, they ARE readers, after all!

I also participate in a virtual book club online at Doing Dewey. This month we are reading 'The Reason I Jump' by Naoki Hagashida. Come join us if you are interested! The information is here...http://doingdeweydecimal.com/2016/04/02/nfbookclub-reason-jump-read-along-may-poll/

About Me

Heather, 30, USA. Hi everyone! I started my blog, The Maiden's Court, in May 2009 as a creative outlet for my reading and it has completely taken me to new places. I love sharing my reading and the things that I learn.

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